琉璃神社鈥檚 soccer scene is about to make a resurgence.
After its inaugural year in 琉璃神社鈥檚 Men鈥檚 League, the Okanagan Football Club is almost set to bring an even more competitive level of soccer back to 琉璃神社 competing in the Pacific Coast Soccer League in 2019.
The PCSL is a competitive eight-team inter-city league that will allow 琉璃神社鈥檚 best players to continue playing local and competitive soccer past 18 and 19 years old.
It鈥檚 about competitiveness but also about creating a culture, said Okanagan FC coach Andrew Stevenson.
鈥淲e want to provide an avenue for our young players to play a senior level, and to continue to play towards their soccer aspirations,鈥� said Stevenson. 鈥溋鹆裆� and the Okanagan have been missing a competitive team for a long time, and we want to build a successful team that engages the soccer community, and build something special.鈥�
Despite the local recreation leagues in 琉璃神社, or the possibility of university soccer, Stevenson notes that it鈥檚 tough for players passing the age of 18 to find competitive leagues in the Okanagan.
The PCSL is exactly that鈥� a competitive league where players who may not have anywhere to go can play through some of their adult years, playing teams in cities like Kamloops, Vancouver, and Victoria.
Okanagan FC will join the PCSL when the season starts in early May, and invites players off all ages to the in early March.
鈥淭he feedback has been very well received. I think that 琉璃神社 has a hot-bed of soccer talent, and we want to bring in the best,鈥� said Stevenson.
鈥淲e鈥檙e expecting around 70 players at the upcoming try-outs, ranging in ages from 17 to 40.鈥�
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When the season starts, the 琉璃神社 Rockets鈥� season will have ended, and the Okanagan Sun鈥檚 season will be months away still.
Stevenson and the Okanagan FC want to fill that perfect time in summer to provide a quality level of soccer for players, and for fans.
Stevenson notes that there has been some difficulties with starting a new soccer club among the established 琉璃神社 sporting favourites.
鈥淕etting the name out there has been hard, and finding volunteers,鈥� said Stevenson, who remains unfazed by these challenges.
鈥淲ith any new program, there are going to be speed-bumps. We want to get people excited and we want to create an atmosphere, and events to people can get excited for.鈥�
The atmosphere for the Okanagan FC鈥檚 upcoming season will be hosted at 琉璃神社鈥檚 Apple Bowl, where the last 琉璃神社 team to play in the PCSL, the Okanagan Challenge, used to draw in around 1,000 fans for games before the team鈥檚 end in 2011.
With a sponsorship with Sleeman鈥檚 to provide beverages at the games, local DJ artists, and community events on game days, Okanagan FC strives to be the go-to place during the summer with $10 tickets for adults, and kids under 18 getting free admission.
鈥淎t the Apple Bowl, with great music and beer available, it鈥檚 going to cost less than a movie, and less than a hockey or football game for fans and families,鈥� said Stevenson.
Stevenson feels the excitement level continues to build as families already involved with the club are excited with the opportunities Okanagan FC will provide down the line for the younger players looking to play local soccer after youth programs.
Okanagan FC will also assemble a women鈥檚 team to compete in the PCSL women鈥檚 league in 2020.
Providing a competitive league for Okanagan players is the first step for Okanagan FC, and make no mistake鈥攖hey鈥檙e looking to win, Stevenson said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking to get our hands on the trophy. The top players are going to have to earn their spots, and we want to build a team without any obstacles and make it accessible as possible for all prospective players,鈥� he said.
鈥淕uys will have to commit to the team and vision to help this team come together.鈥�
Players looking for more information can find it at okanaganfc.com.
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